Modular communication cabling arrangement

ABSTRACT

A modular communication system, particularly for interior space-dividing wall panels which are serially-connected together to define a plurality of adjacent workstations. The modular communication system is defined by a plurality of prefabricated modules, one of which is an elongate main distribution module mountable within a raceway which extends horizontally longitudinally of the panel. This elongate main distribution module, in one embodiment, has a length which approximately corresponds to the panel length, and has terminals or connectors at opposite ends so that a plurality of main distribution modules can be serially-connected to extend along a plurality of serially-connected panels. The main communication modules define a plurality of telecommunication links (i.e., paths), with each link preferably being defined by eight conductors (i.e., four pairs). The system also includes tap-off modules which cooperate with the main distribution modules to permit one (two in the preferred embodiment) link to be tapped off at a workstation for connection to communication equipment (i.e. a telephone and/or a computer). The tap-off module permits only the selected link or links to be tapped off and accessible at the workstation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/345,864, filed Jul. 1, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,796 which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/814,280, filedMar. 10, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,462 which is a continuation ofU.S. patent aapplication Ser. No. 08/477,176, filed May 19, 1995, nowabandoned which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/377,743, filed Jan. 25, 1995, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a communication cabling system for use withina building and, more specifically, to an improved modular communicationcabling system which is desirable for use with office furnitureparticularly interior space-dividing wall panels to permit a pluralityof communication links to be readily supplied to a plurality ofworkstations to permit selection of links to take place at theworkstation, which modular system also significantly simplifies bothinitial installation and reconfiguration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercial buildings typically provide large open floor areas intendedfor use as offices and the like, and the end user typically determinesthe most efficient use of the floor space for his own needs, and selectshow the floor space is to be divided into smaller working spaces throughthe use of portable wall panels or the like. To optimize the usage ofthe space while retaining significant flexibility with respect to suchusage and reconfiguration, most modern offices utilize what isconventionally referred to as “systems” furniture for dividing largefloor space areas into smaller workstations. This “systems” furnituretypically utilizes interior upright space-dividing panels which seriallyconnect together through two-panel straight or angled connections, orthrough suitable three- or four-panel connections, to define a largeplurality of individual workstations. Such panels are typically lessthan floor-to-ceiling height, and cooperate with other furniturecomponents to define an equipped workstation. These components mayinvolve worksurfaces, file cabinets and the like which mount directly onand are supported by the wall panels, or freestanding furniturecomponents such as tables and file cabinets, and commonly a combinationof both wall-mounted and free-standing components are utilized. Theseworkstations must provide access to both electrical power andcommunication cabling. The problems associated with the supplying ofelectrical power to the workstations has been greatly simplified by thedevelopment of modular electrical systems which cooperate with andreadily mount on the panels, and which can be readily reconfigured, soas to provide significant flexibility and simplicity with respect to thesupplying of electrical power to the individual workstations. Suchmodular electrical systems for use with office furniture, particularlyinterior space-dividing wall panels, are now conventional and have beenextensively utilized for over 15 years. The supplying of communicationcables to workstations defined by such panel systems, however, continuesto be a formidable problem in the office furniture environment.

More specifically, the conventional and widely utilized practice at thepresent time is to provide office systems with conventionalcommunication cables which are all connected back to a main wiringcloset. That is, a large number of conventional communication cables areconnected to control equipment in the wiring closet, and the cables arethen fed through floor conduits or ceiling clearance spaces to variouswork areas, at which point the cables are then fed into interiorchannels or raceways which extend along the panels, typically along thetops or bottoms of the panels. The cables typically terminate in astandard connector, such as a multi-pair amphenol connector which thenhas a mating part connected thereto for permitting selection of adesired communication link, and this mating part in turn has a standardfour-pair communication cable joined thereto and terminating in aconventional communication jack which mounts in the side of the panel,typically either at the base or at worksurface height. With sucharrangement, however, and particularly in view of the extensive use ofcommunication equipment within the work space, which equipment willtypically include a telephone, a computer and possibly other equipmentsuch as a facsimile machine, and the additional requirement thatcomputers be interlinked with one another or with a common mainframe,the supplying of communication cables (i.e., communication links) fromthe wiring closet to the individual workstations creates significantlabor and installation difficulties since the large number of cablesmust typically be installed after the furniture system has been fullyassembled at the job site, and the number of such cables and the lengththereof as they extend from the wiring closet to the individualworkstations create a significant jungle of cables so that initiallayout and installation is both time consuming and costly. Further, suchsystems greatly impede the overall flexibility of the system withrespect to hook-up to the various communication links, particularly forcomputers, and also greatly restricts or at least greatly increases thedifficulty of modifying or reconfiguring either the communication systemor the furniture system. Any significant modification of either thecommunication or furniture system requires significant removal of thecommunication cables and, after the furniture system has beenreconfigured, substantially a wholly new installation of thecommunication cables from the wiring closet to the individualworkstations is required. The current communication cabling systems,even though they have been widely utilized for many years and continueto be utilized, nevertheless greatly minimize the advantages associatedwith furniture systems of this type, particularly with respect to theability to easily install, modify or reconfigure such furniture systemswhen provided with a communication system thereon.

To improve on the conventional communication systems currently in use,various attempts have been made to provide at least limited modularityso as to provide some simplification with respect to the installation ofcommunication connections to a plurality of workstations. The currentsuggestions, however, provide only minor advancements with respect tothe problems associated with the current systems and do not provide thedegree of selection and flexibility desired or required so as to greatlysimplify the installation and the reconfiguration of such systems onfurniture, particularly wall panels. The known attempts, to the best ofthe inventors' knowledge, have not achieved significant commercialacceptance or utilization. Examples of these prior attempts areillustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,277, 5,160,276 and 4,928,303.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedmodular communication system particularly for use on office furnitureincluding wall panels, which improved system overcomes many of thesignificant problems and disadvantages which are associated withconventional communication cabling systems and which have been toleratedfor a long period of time in view of the lack of a desirable solutionthereto.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide animproved modular communication cabling system which is particularlydesirable for mounting on or within furniture wall panels which define aplurality of workstations, with the modular system incorporating aplurality of communication links which can be selectively tapped off atvarious workstations to facilitate connection to communication equipmentsuch as telephones, computers and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modular communicationsystem, as aforesaid, which permits prefabrication of a minimal numberof modules which make up the system, which modules can be easily andefficiently mounted on the panels and interconnected at the job site soas to greatly simplify the initial installation of the communicationsystem, and at the same time greatly simplify subsequent modification orreconfiguration of either the communication system or of the panelingsystem. If desired, some of the modules can be mounted on the panels atthe factory and shipped to the job site, so that remaining modules arethen easily and efficiently installed at the job site so as tointerconnect the system.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedmodular communication system, as aforesaid, which includes modulespermitting easy selection of at least one communication link for supplyto a workstation, with the selection of the various links of the systemand the supplying thereof to the individual workstations being easilyand efficiently accomplished at the job site and at the individualworkstations after the furniture system has been assembled.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedmodular communication system, as aforesaid, which includes thecapability of permitting a large plurality of communication links toextend throughout the entire length of the modular system, and whichincludes a tap-off feature which, when it selects one of the links fortap-off to a selected workstation, causes this link to be deaddownstream of the tap-off location.

According to the invention, there is provided an improved modularcommunication system which is particularly desirable for use on or inassociation with furniture, and particularly interior space-dividingwall panels which are serially-connected together to define a pluralityof adjacent workstations. The modular communication system is defined bya plurality of prefabricated modules, one of which is an elongate maindistribution module which is mountable within a raceway which isassociated with the panel, for example at the bottom thereof, andextends horizontally longitudinally of the panel length. This elongatemain distribution module, in one embodiment, has a length whichapproximately corresponds to the panel length, and additionally hasterminals or connectors at opposite ends so that a plurality of suchmain distribution modules can be serially-connected so as to extendalong a plurality of serially-connected panels which define a pluralityof adjacent workstations. The main communication modules define aplurality of communication links (i.e., paths), with each linkpreferably being defined by eight conductors (i.e., four pairs) suchbeing a standard and well recognized communication link. The modularcommunication system also includes tap-off modules which cooperate Withthe main distribution modules to permit one (two in the preferredembodiment) of the communication links to be tapped off at a workstationso as to permit electronic equipment (such as a telephone and/or acomputer) to be joined thereto. The tap-off module cooperates with thesystem so as to permit only the selected link or links to be tapped offand accessible at the workstation, with the remaining links of thesystem being transmitted throughout the serially-connected maincommunication modules for tap-off of other links at other locations orworkstations.

In the modular communication system, as aforesaid, the tap-off moduleand its cooperation with the main communication modules, in a preferredembodiment, enables the installer to make a selection decision as towhich link or links will be accessible at the workstation, with theseselected links then being dead or disconnected downstream of the tap-offpoint, thereby simplifying not only the initial installation of thesystem and the hook-up of equipment within various workstations todifferent communication links, but also the subsequent reconfigurationof the communication system or of the overall furniture system.

The modular communication system, as aforesaid, also preferably includesan in-feed module which connects to the serially-connected maindistribution modules so as to supply the plurality of communicationlinks thereto, with the in-feed having a main trunk cable or the likeconnected thereto for connection back to the telecommunication closet.The in-feed module can be positioned for cooperation with the maindistribution modules to permit some of the plurality of communicationlinks to flow in one downstream direction therefrom, and the other ofthe plurality of telecommunications links to extend downstream in theopposite direction therefrom.

In the improved modular communication system, in a preferred embodimentas disclosed hereinafter, the system provides 16 telecommunication linkswhich extend throughout the system, and the tap-off preferably accessestwo links to facilitate the supplying of two different links to each ofeight different workstations, with one of the links for each workstationpreferably being for voice communication (i.e., a telephone) and theother link preferably being for data communication (i.e., a computer).

Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof,will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspectingthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing several wallpanels serially-connected together and mounting the improved modularcommunication system in the raceway thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic end elevational view of one of the panels.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view taken generally along line 3—3 in FIG. 1,but also illustrating branch panels in dotted lines.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating a variation.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view which illustrates panels disposed todefine a plurality of adjacent workstations.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main distribution module asassociated with the communication system of this invention according toone embodiment thereof.

FIG. 7 is a line diagram which illustrates the telecommunicationtransmission links and conductors associated with the cable of the maindistribution module.

FIG. 8 illustrates connector units as provided on adjacent ends of twodistribution modules joined together to define the connector assembly.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the top or abutment surface associatedwith the connector unit at one end of the main distribution module.

FIG. 10 is a line diagram corresponding to FIG. 9 but illustrating thetransmission links and contact groupings associated with the connectorunit.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary top view showing one of the contactgroupings associated with the connector unit.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along 13—13 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but wherein connector units areassembled together to show the engaged contacts associated with theaccess port, and additionally showing a tap-off plug disposed forinsertion into the access port.

FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 14 but showing the tap-off plugpositioned in the access port.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view looking into the opened end of the accessport and showing the contacts therein in solid lines when engaged withthe tap-off plug, and additionally showing the contacts in dotted linesin their position prior to insertion of the access plug.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view which illustrates a tap-off module and itscooperation between the connector assembly and a face plate as mountableon a panel or the like.

FIG. 18 shows the exposed face of the tap-off plug and its positionalrelationships to the access port.

FIG. 19 illustrates an in-feed module as connected between the connectorunits of adjacent distribution modules for supplying a plurality oftelecommunication links to the system.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views which are respectively similar toFIGS. 8 and 19 but which illustrate variations with respect to themodular communication system.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the connector unit of FIG. 20connected to an end cap or an end in-feed module.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view which illustrates another variation of anin-feed module.

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing severalfurniture components (i.e. wall panels) and associated main distributionmodules of a preferred embodiment of the improved modular communicationsystem.

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic plan view of the main distribution modules ofthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating a connectorassembly of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged partial perspective view of one end of theconnector assembly of FIG. 26 as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the connectorassembly of FIG. 26 as viewed from the backside.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged partial front perspective view of one connectorunit of the connector assembly of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged partial rear perspective view of the connectorunit of FIG. 29 with the electrical contacts removed.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged partial perspective view illustrating an upperconnector unit of the connector assembly of FIG. 26.

FIG. 32 is a side cross sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG.26 illustrating the interior of an access port.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an elongatedistribution cable.

FIG. 34 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theplug part for use with the communication system of FIG. 24.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly ofFIG. 26.

FIG. 36 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the connectorassembly of FIG. 35 illustrating an insulative spacer insert and oneaccess port.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a double-sided variation of the spacerinsert.

FIG. 38 is a single-sided variation of the spacer insert.

FIG. 39 is a single-piece variation of the spacer insert.

FIG. 40 is a side cross sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG.26 with a plug part inserted from one side.

FIG. 41 is a side cross sectional view similar to FIG. 40 butillustrating the plug part into the connector assembly from the otherside.

FIG. 42 is a side cross sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG.26 illustrating the spacer insert mounted on the top connector unit andthe plug part inserted from the left side.

FIG. 43 is a side cross sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG.42 with the plug part inserted from the opposite or rightward side.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a variation of the plug part of FIG.34.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view illustrating the plug part of FIG. 44 fromthe opposite side.

FIG. 46 is a side cross sectional view of the plug part of FIGS. 44 and45 illustrating the plug part inserted from the left side into theconnector assembly.

FIG. 47 is a side cross sectional view illustrating the plug part ofFIG. 46 inserted from the right side.

FIG. 48 is a side cross sectional view of a variation of the plug partillustrated in FIGS. 44 and 45 inserted in the connector assembly.

FIG. 49 is a side cross sectional view illustrating the plug part ofFIG. 48 inserted from the opposite side.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a further variation of the plug part.

FIG. 51 is a diagrammatic elevational view similar to FIG. 24 butillustrating an alternative arrangement for the modular communicationsystem.

FIG. 52 is a top view of the communication system of FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is a side cross sectional view illustrating a plug part for atap-off module disposed, prior to insertion, in alternative positions onthe left and right side of the connector assembly.

FIG. 54 is a side cross sectional view illustrating the plug part ofFIG. 53 inserted from the left side into the connector assembly.

FIG. 55 is a side cross sectional view of the plug part of FIG. 54inserted from the right side into the connector assembly.

FIG. 56 is a side cross sectional view illustrating a plug part for anin-feed module for the communication system of FIG. 51.

FIG. 57 is a side cross sectional view illustrating the plug part ofFIG. 56 inserted from the right side into the connector assembly.

FIGS. 58A through 69 are diagrammatic plan views which illustrate themodular communication system of this invention, specifically variationsand possible arrangements thereof, wherein:

FIGS. 58A, 58B and 58C show three arrangements of the data distributionassembly (i.e., the modular communication system) employing in-line datataps (i.e., tap-off modules), with FIGS. 58A and 58B showingarrangements wherein a one-way data feed (i.e., an in-feed module)connects to either end of the system, and FIG. 58C shows the data feedbeing bi-directional and connected intermediate the length of thesystem;

FIGS. 59A and 59B illustrates the data distribution assembly similar toFIGS. 58A-58C except that the distribution segments (i.e., thedistribution module) incorporate intermediate tap-off connectorsreferred to as data T's, with FIG. 59A showing the data feed at one endof the system and FIG. 59B showing the data feed intermediate the lengththereof;

FIGS. 60A and 60D illustrate similar views of the data distributionassembly showing in FIGS. 60A and 60B various combinations of thefeatures of FIGS. 58A-58C and 59A-59B;

FIGS. 61A and 61B show the data distribution assembly employing extendedlength data distribution segments (i.e., main distribution modules),with FIGS. 61A and 61B showing different combinations of features;

FIGS. 62A and 62B relates solely to the data distribution segment, withFIG. 62B showing the segment structure and FIG. 62A showing the internaltelecommunication links which pass therethrough;

FIGS. 63A and 63B relate to the in-line data tap, with FIG. 63B showingthe structure of the data tap and FIG. 63A showing the telecommunicationlinks or paths thereof;

FIGS. 64A and 64B relate to the distribution segment incorporating adata T therein, with FIG. 64B showing the structure thereof and FIG. 64Abeing a line diagram of the internal telecommunication links;

FIGS. 65A and 65B relate to a data tap of the type which cooperates witha data T, with FIG. 65A showing the structure of the tap and FIG. 65Bbeing a line diagram of the telecommunication link which passestherethrough;

FIGS. 66A and 66B relate to the one-way data feed, and specifically FIG.66B illustrates the structure thereof and FIG. 66A illustrates thetelecommunication links associated therewith;

FIGS. 67A and 67B illustrate a bi-direction data feed, and specificallyFIG. 67B shows the structure thereof and FIG. 67A shows thetelecommunication links associated therewith;

FIGS. 68A and 68B diagrammatically illustrates the connection of a datatap to a distribution segment, and specifically FIG. 68B shows the datatap connected to the data T, and FIG. 68A is a line diagram showing thetelecommunication link and the coupling of the data tap to one of thelinks; and

FIG. 69 is a diagrammatic plan view which illustrates severalworkstations disposed on opposite sides of a spline panel arrangement(the latter eliminated from the figure for purposes of clarity), withone arrangement of the communication system being disposed so as toextend generally along the spline panel arrangement for providingcommunication access to the adjacent workstation.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example,the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly” willrefer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word“forward” will be used to designate the direction of thetelecommunication link as it extends from the closet to the userequipment. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directionstoward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the systemand designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the wordsspecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is diagrammatically illustrated afurniture arrangement 11 which particularly includes a wall systemformed by a plurality of interior space-dividing panels 12 supported inupright relationship relative to a floor. The panels 12 can behorizontally serially aligned and connected so that vertical end edges13 thereof are disposed adjacent one another. The panels 12 define,generally between the vertically enlarged side surfaces thereof ahorizontally elongate channel or raceway 14 which extends throughout thelengths of the panels, such raceway 14 in the illustrated embodimentbeing located along the bottom of the panel, but it will be recognizedthat such raceway can be at other locations in the panel such as alongthe top or at worksurface height. A pair of removable access covers 15are provided for normally closing off opposite sides of the raceway 14.

As illustrated by FIG. 5, the wall panels are typically arranged todefine at least partially enclosed work areas 16, these commonly beingreferred to as workstations, and for this purpose a plurality of panels12 in FIG. 5 are serially and horizontally connected in alignedrelationship to define a wall structure which effectively functions as aspline. A further plurality of panels, designated 12′ in FIG. 5, arebranched transversely off the main spline at selected intervalstherealong, commonly eight feet intervals, to permit formation of aplurality of adjacent workstations 16 on one or both sides of the splinepanels 12. These workstations 16 are provided with conventionalfurniture components therein. For example, the workstation can beprovided with conventional worksurfaces 17 and cabinets 18 which mounton and are supported by the panels, or alternatively or in conjunctiontherewith the workstation can be provided with freestanding furniturecomponents such as tables, desks, cabinets and the like.

Each workstation is typically provided with a telephone T, and alsocommonly with a computer C, for use by the occupant of the workstation.Such equipment are typically connected to outlets or jacks which in turncouple to communication cables which extend through the panels andthence normally through floor or ceiling passages back to thetelecommunication (i.e., wiring) closet.

In accordance with the present invention, and as diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, there is provided a modular communicationsystem 21 which is designed to be accommodated within and extendlongitudinally throughout a plurality of serially-connected panels, suchas lengthwise through the raceways 14, so as to permit a plurality oftelecommunication paths or links to extend in parallel throughout thelength of the modular system 21, with the modular system 21 permittingselected individual telecommunication paths or links to be tapped off atpredetermined locations lengthwise therealong so as to permitindividually selected telecommunication links to be accessible within aplurality of different workstations for connection to the communicationequipment associated with the respective workstation.

The modular communication system 21, in the illustrated and preferredembodiment as described in greater detail hereinafter, defines sixteendifferent telecommunication links which have the capability of extendinglongitudinally throughout the length of the system, with these sixteenlinks preferably being disposed with eight distinct groupings eachincluding two distinct links. Each telecommunication link is defined byeight conductors (i.e., four pairs), such being a recognized standardfor telecommunication connectors. Each grouping of two telecommunicationlinks can thus be tapped off for access at a selected workstation,whereby the modular communication system 21 can readily and efficientlyservice eight workstations, and can be readily installed into the wallpanel arrangement 11 and reconfigured with minimal installation effort,time and labor.

Considering now the details of the modular communication system 21, andas diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the system in onevariation includes a main distribution module 22 which is elongated andpreferably has a length which is generally similar to the basic panellength (this typically being four feet) as shown in FIG. 3, or a lengthsimilar to typical workstation width (this being two panel lengths, ortypically eight feet) as shown in FIG. 4. A plurality of such modulardistribution modules 22 are connected together in series and extendlengthwise throughout the raceways 14 so as to be accessible from theplurality of workstations which are at least partially defined by thepanels. Tap-off or output modules 23 are also provided for selectiveconnection to the main distribution modules, which tap-off modules 23plug into the main distribution modules in such fashion as toselectively tap off at least one, and in the illustrated embodiment agrouping of two, telecommunication links for connecting these two linksto conventional jacks (i.e. outlets) provided for access in the selectedworkstation for connection to equipment such as a telephone and acomputer. These tap-off modules and their connection to the maindistribution modules is such as to cause the selected links, downstreamof the tap point, to be dead. The system 21 also has an in-feed module24 which connects to the series of interconnected distribution modules22 for permitting the plurality (sixteen in the illustrated embodiment)of telecommunication links to be supplied to the modules 22 fortransmission throughout the length of the system. This in-feed module 24has a supply cable connected thereto through which the plurality oftelecommunication links are supplied, and the other end of this supplycable connects back to the telecommunication closet. For convenience ininstallation, this supply cable will typically be of a predeterminedlength so as to terminate in a connection such as a conventional pushblock connector, which in turn will then join to one end of one or moreelongate supply cables (containing a total of 64 pair) which extendsback through floor or ceiling passages for connection to equipmentdisposed in the telecommunication closet.

The elongate main distribution module 22 in this variation, asillustrated in FIG. 6, includes an elongate distribution cable 31 whichis provided with connector units 32 and 33 secured to opposite endsthereof. The connectors units 32 and 33 are preferably and in theillustrated embodiment identical, since rotation of the rightwardconnector 32 in a vertical plane through an angle of 180° will result inits orientation being identical to the leftward connector unit 33.

The elongate distribution cable 31, which in actuality may be formed bytwo or more cables grouped together, defines a plurality oftelecommunication paths or links 34 extending therethrough, there beingsixteen such links in the illustrated and preferred embodiment. These 16links define eight distinct groupings 35, each containing two distincttelecommunication links such as designated 36-1 and 36-2, one linknormally being used for voice Communication and the other for datacommunication. Each of these links 36-1 and 36-2 is defined by eightconductors 37 which cooperate to define a conventional four-pair linkhaving the capability of providing four different signal transmittingpathways, such four-pair telecommunication links being conventional.

Each of the connector units 32 and 33 includes a generally hollowhousing 41 connected to the end of the distribution cable 31. Thehousing 41 has a generally flat abutment wall 42 which is adapted toabut against a similar such wall formed on an opposed mating one of saidconnector units, and this abutment wall 42 terminates in side edgeswhich extend longitudinally along opposite sides of the housing, whichedges define the intersection between the abutment wall 42 and the sidewalls 44.

Each housing 41 has a plurality of boxlike recesses 45 which openinwardly from the abutment wall 42, with these recesses openingoutwardly through the respectively adjacent side wall 44. In thisembodiment, housing 41 has eight such recesses 46 therein, four suchrecesses being disposed generally within a lengthwise row positionedadjacent each side of the housing, with the recesses 45 in each rowopening outwardly through the respectively adjacent side wall 44.

Each recess 45 has positioned therein, and mounted on the housing 41, agrouping of electrical contacts 46 which function as a connector. Thecontact grouping 46 is divided into two substantially identicalsubgroups 47 which are disposed in side-by-side relation. The contactgroup 46 includes therein sufficient contacts to define twotelecommunication links, this being sixteen contacts in the illustratedembodiment, with each subgroup 47 being defined by eight contacts. Eachrecess 45 has the contacts thereof respectively connected to sixteenconductors associated with one of the groupings supplied to the housing41 from the distribution cable 31, Since this latter cable provideseight groupings of two telecommunication links each, each said groupingis electrically connected to a respective one of the contact groupsassociated with a respective one of the recesses 45. The connectionbetween the contacts and the conductors of the distribution cable can bedirect, such as by extending the distribution cable inwardly into thehousing so that the conductors thereof are directly connected to therespective contacts, or in the alternative the housing 41 can beprovided with a printed circuit board mounted interiorly thereof, whichprinted circuit board possesses an appropriate conductive trace patternthereon for connecting all of the contacts in the various recesses tothe respective individual conductors associated with the distributioncable 31. since the internal connections between the recess contacts andthe distribution cable can be accomplished using many differentconventional techniques, further description thereof is believedunnecessary.

As illustrated by FIGS. 11-13, the walls of the housing 41 which defineeach recess 45 preferably include a series of parallel insulative ribs49 which extend in parallel relation inwardly from the side wall 44 andproject toward the abutment, wall 42, with each pair of ribsaccommodating between one of the contacts 46 so as to maintain adjacentcontacts in spaced and insulated relationship from one another. Eachcontact also includes a resilient upper part 51 which, when in a relaxedor nondeflected condition, projects slightly outwardly beyond the outersurface of the respective abutment wall 42.

While the accompanying drawings illustrate the contact grouping 46associated with only one of the recesses 45, it will be appreciated thatthis is solely for simplicity of illustration, and that each of therecesses 45 has a substantially identical contact group 46 associatedtherewith.

When two of the main distribution modules 22 are to be connectedtogether in series, then the connector units 32 and 31 as provided onadjacent ends of the two modules 22 are positioned in opposedoverlapping relationship so that the abutting surfaces 42 thereon aredisposed in directly opposed and abutting engagement with one anothersubstantially as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 14, whereupon the twoconnector units are then suitably fixedly secured, such as by aplurality of fasteners such as screws. This provides a fixed connectorassembly 38 at the junction of the serially arranged modules 22,although it will be appreciated that each module 21 retains whateverflexibility is inherently possessed by the elongated distribution cable31.

When the identical connector units 32 and 33 are disposed in opposedmating relationship and are fixedly connected together as illustrated inFIG. 8, the individual recesses 45 formed in the connector unit 32 aredisposed in directly opposed relationship and mate up with thecorresponding respective recesses formed in the other connector unit 33,which two opposed and cooperating recesses cooperate to define agenerally blocklike chamber which is wholly enclosed except for theaccess opening 53 at one end thereof, which opening is in the side wallof the assembled housing. During the assembly of the connector units 32and 33 together, particularly when the abutment faces 42 contact oneanother, this causes the outwardly protruding resilient parts 51 of theopposed contacts to directly and individually contact one another,thereby causing these opposed resilient contact parts 51 to be deflectedinwardly into the respective recess so that the contacts associated withthe contact groupings in the opposed recesses remain in resilientlybiased engagement with one another substantially as illustrated in FIG.14. These engaged contacts, however, are accessible through the accessopening 53 defined in the side wall. Each pair of opposed andcooperating recesses 45, the opposed and engaged contact groups thereinas illustrated in FIG. 14, and the access opening 53 associatedtherewith, cooperate to define a port or socket 54 (FIG. 16) forpermitting access to the two telecommunication links defined by theengaged contact groupings of the respective port.

In this embodiment there are four access ports 54 (FIG. 8) disposedhorizontally in sidewardly-spaced relationship along one side of thecoupled connector units 32 and 33, and four additional such access ports54 disposed horizontally in spaced relationship along the other sidethereof. The connector 38 thus provides a total of eight such ports 54each accessing a different grouping of two telecommunication links. Thisis graphically illustrated in the drawings, specifically FIG. 10,wherein the access ports 54 are designated 54-1 through 54-8. When notbeing used for either in-feed or tap-off purposes, each of these accessports 54 is preferably closed by means of a small closure plug (notshown) which is preferably constructed of an insulative material andfits partway into the access opening and can be snugly held therein forclosing off the port. Such plug can be easily manually removed whendesired.

Considering now the tap-off module 23, it is designed to plug into anyone of the ports 54-1 through 54-8 as associated with any of theconnector assemblies 38. This tap-off module 23 includes a plug orconnector part 61 which is adapted for insertion into one of the ports54. This plug part 61 has one end of an elongate flexible cable 62coupled thereto, which cable at the other end has at least one jack, andin the illustrated embodiment there being two such jacks 63 and 64,mounted thereon. The cable 61 includes a plurality of conductorsextending therethrough, specifically sixteen conductors (eight pairs) inthe illustrated embodiment, thereby defining two telecommunicationlinks. One of the links connects to the plug-in socket 65 associatedwith one jack 63, and the other link connects to the socket 65associated with the other jack 64. These jacks 63-64 and the socketsdefined therein are conventional, and cooperate in a conventional mannerwith the plug associated with the telecommunication cable which connectsto a telephone, computer and the like.

As to the plug part 61 of the tap-off module, it includes a generallyflat blade or plate 66 which projects outwardly from an enlarged head69, whereby the blade 66 can be slidably inserted into the port orsocket 54 to the extent that the head 69 seats against the housing ofthe connector assembly. The blade 66, on at least one side face thereof,has a grouping of contacts 67 which are illustrated as being formed astracings, such as on a printed circuit board. The grouping of contactsor tracings 67 includes two subgroups, each containing eight contacts ortracings, with all of these tracings or contacts being generallyparallel but sidewardly spaced apart.

When the blade 66 is slldably inserted into the access port 54, theblade resiliently deflects the opposed contact parts 51 and effectsseparation thereof as the blade is inserted therebetween. At the sametime, however, the tracings 67 engage the contact parts associated withonly one side (either the top or the bottom) of the access port 54,whereas the opposite side of the blade engages the contacts on theopposite side of the access port, which blade is constructed of aninsulative material and effectively opens this side of thetelecommunication link. The tracings 67 preferably extend to the veryend of the blade 66 so as to engage the contact parts 51 shortly beforethe blade causes the opposed contact parts 51 to separate from oneanother, thereby preventing any momentary disruption or break in thetelecommunication link. The individual tracings are in turn connected tothe individual conductors associated with the cable 62 so as to transmitone of the selected telecommunication links to the jack 63 and the otherto the jack 64. These jacks in turn typically mount within openingsprovided in a conventional face plate 58 as illustrated in FIG. 17,which plate 58 typically mounts on the side face of the panel at anyuser convenient location, such as in the vicinity of worksurface height.

The tap-off module 23 can also be vertically inverted so that thetracings thereof are in a downwardly facing position such that, wheninserted into the access port 54, they make contact with the lowercontact grouping in the port, and in such case the upper contact groupis engaged with the insulative plate 66 and are effectively deactivatedor dead. The selection of the orientation of the plug part 61 forinsertion into the access port 54 is determined based on the location ofthe input to the communication system (i.e., the input from the closet).In this regard, referencing FIGS. 17 and 18, if the input from thewiring closet connects to the serially-connected distribution modules 22rightwardly from the connector assembly 38 to which the tap-off moduleis being connected, such designation of the input being indicated byarrow A, then the plug part 61 is oriented so that the tracings 67 faceupwardly so that insertion of the plug part causes the tracings toengage the upper contacts, whereby the two telecommunication links aresupplied to the jacks 63 and 64. These two telecommunication linksthemselves have defined positions in the access port 54, one being onthe left side and designated L1, the other on the right side anddesignated L2, these being respectively for “voice” and “data” forexample. The visible head of the plug part can similarly be defined withV and D designations which correspond to the two subgroups of tracingsdefined on the face of the blade, and in this instance the cable 62 ispreferably defined by two distinctly different cable parts 62A and 62B,which parts can be of different colors for example, with these two cableports being connected respectively to the jacks 63 and 64. When theinput to the system is rightwardly as indicated by the arrow A, then theplug part 61 is oriented such that the arrows 59 thereon are directedtoward the input of the telecommunication links (i.e., in the directionof the arrow A) thus causing the tracings 67 to be uppermost and engagedwith the upper contacts associated with the connector unit 32 so thatthese two telecommunication links L1 and L2 are respectively used as theV and D links for respective connection to the jacks 63 and 64. Theinstaller thus knows to install the jack 63 in the “voice” opening ofthe face plate 58, and the jack 64 in the “data” opening of the faceplate.

However, if the input of the telecommunication links is connected to theseries of distribution modules 22 leftwardly of the specific connectorassembly 38, such as indicated by arrow B, then the tap-off module 23 isvertically rotated 180° so that the arrows 59 now point in the directionof arrow B, and this again results in V and D designations thereonfacing upright and being visible to the installer, except that the V andD designations are now respectively associated with the cables 62B and62A. This informs the installer that the jack 64 must now be positionedwithin the “voice” socket of the face plate 58, and the jack 63positioned within the “data” socket of the face plate. At the same time,since the tracings 67 face downwardly, they thus contact the lowermostcontact grouping, namely the grouping associated with the connector unit33, when the plug part is inserted into the access port. The uppergrouping of contacts engages the insulated plate 66 so that the links L1and L2 are dead downstream of the tap off. Since the downwardly facingorientation of the tracings 67 causes the leftward subgroup of tracingsas connected to the cable 62B to engage the contacts associated with thelinks L1, which link can be the designated “voice” link if desired andas explained above, this enables the tap-off module to be plugged intothe port 54 in either an upwardly or a downwardly facing orientation,depending upon the location of the port 54 relative to the inlet orin-feed, while at the same time maintaining the identification andorientation of each individual link so as to permit proper externalhookups thereto.

In order to connect the communication system of this invention to thetelecommunication closet, the system includes the in-feed module 24which preferably connects to any one of the connector assemblies 38 asdisposed either throughout the plurality of series-connecteddistribution modules 22, or at one free end thereof. This in-feed module24 includes a relatively thin and flat hollow housing 71 (FIG. 19) whichconnects to one end of a main communication supply cable 72, which cableis provided with a remote end for connection to an elongate cable whichextends from the telecommunication closet. This main cable containstherein a plurality of conductors which define a predetermined number ofcommunication links corresponding to the number of links in the modularcommunication system 21, this being 128 conductors (i.e., 64 pairs)cooperating to define sixteen telecommunication links in the illustratedembodiment.

The hollow housing 71 is adapted to be fixedly secured or sandwichedbetween the opposed abutment walls 42 defined on the connector units 32and 33, For this purpose, the hollow housing 71 has generally paralleltop and bottom walls 73, each of which has eight blocklike recesses 74formed therein, four along each side thereof, whereby the eight recessesin terms of their size and location identically correspond and mate withthe eight recesses 45 formed in the abutment wall 42 of each connectorunit 32 and 33. Each recess 74 also mounts therein a contact grouping 75which in the illustrated embodiment includes sixteen contacts whichdefine two telecommunication links each being defined by eight separatecontacts, whereby the contact grouping 75 is structurally andfunctionally identical to the contact grouping 46 described above. Theindividual contacts of each contact group 75 as associated with eachrecess 74 are all connected internally of the housing 71 to one of theconductors associated with the cable 72.

The in-feed module 24 is secured to the modular communication system bypositioning the housing 71 in abutting contact between the opposedabutment surfaces 42 on the connector units 32 and 33, and then fixingthese three housing units together, such as by screws. This results informing eight upper access ports 54 between the upper connector unit 32and the housing 71, four of these access ports being along each side ofthe assembly, and each of these access ports being connected to andaccessing two telecommunication links which are distinctly differentfrom the telecommunication links which are provided at the remainingseven upper access ports.

A further set of eight lower access ports, four on each side, areprovided between the lower connector unit 33 and the bottom side of thehousing 71. This lower set of access ports is in all other respectsidentical to the upper set, and each port of the lower set also accessestwo telecommunication links which are distinct from thetelecommunication links which are available through the remaining sevenlower access ports. However, each upper access port and a correspondingone of the lower access ports (normally the lower access port which isdisposed directly vertically below the corresponding upper access port)each access the same two telecommunication links, such being illustratedby the link designations L1 and L2 in FIG. 19.

When the in-feed module is connected between the connector units 32 and33 as illustrated by FIG. 19, then one of each pair of identical accessports has a deactivating plug 76 inserted therein, which plug includes athin blade 77 constructed of an insulative material which is slidablyinserted into and effects separation of the opposed resilient contactparts so as to effect deactivation of the telecommunication linktherebetween. This selection as to the positioning of the deactivatingplug 76 is made by the installer. For example, referencing FIG. 19, ifthe installer wants links L1 and L2 to extend leftwardly, then theinstaller inserts a deactivating plug 76 into the uppermost port,whereby these L1 and L2 are deactivated at this point and cannot extendrightwardly. Similarly, if the installer wants the links L3 and L4 toprotect rightwardly, then the installer inserts an insulating plug 76into the lowermost port so that the links L3 and L4 are prevented fromextending leftwardly. This same determination is made with respect toall eight groupings of links such that an insulating plug is insertedinto each cooperating upper and lower pair of access ports. Theremaining eight access ports, namely those which do not have adeactivating plug therein, are normally provided with an outer cover soas to close off the port.

If desired, one or more of these remaining ports, rather than receivingcovers, can have a tap-off module 23 plugged therein, which plug-inoperation will be the same as described above. When a tap-off module 23is plugged into one of the access ports of the cooperating pairassociated with the in-feed module, then the other access port of thepair is provided with a deactivating plug 76 therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, there is illustrated a furthervariation of the modular communication system described above, in whichvariation corresponding parts are designated by the same referencenumerals with the addition of a prime (′) thereto.

In this variation, the main communication module 22′ is constructed thesame as the module 22 described above except that the and connectors 32′and 33′, which again are identical, are of a generally pyramidalconstruction terminating in a free end which is of generally squarecross section and defines thereon an endwise facing abutment surface42′. This latter surface has eight recesses 45′ formed therein eachcontaining a contact grouping which defines two telecommunication links.In this variation two of the recesses 45′ open inwardly insidewardly-spaced relationship from each of the four sides of thehousing. In all other respects the two connector units 32′ and 33′ againjoin together in the same manner as described above so as to defineeight access ports, two on each side of the connector assembly (i.e.,two accessible from each side, two from the top, and two from thebottom).

Similarly, the in-feed module 24′ has a housing 71′ which againsandwiches between the abutting faces 42′, with each side of the in-feedhousing 71′ having eight contact-containing recesses, two accessiblethrough each side edge. When the housing 71′ is sandwiched between theconnector units 32′ and 33′, there is thus defined two sets of eightaccess ports, with one access port of each set being identical (in termsof connecting to the same telecommunication links) as the longitudinallyaligned access port of the other set, in the same manner as describedabove relative to FIG. 19.

With the arrangement of FIGS. 20 and 21, the same number of access portsare provided, only some of these are now accessible from the top andbottom, rather than only from opposite sides as in the earliervariation. This arrangement of FIGS. 20 and 21, however, always ensuresthat the adjacent distribution modules 22′ are properly aligned andconnect together since the connector units 32′ and 331 have no “up” and“down” or “right” and “left” orientation.

As to the connector units 32 and 33 provided on the distribution module22, since it is possible that the opposed units 32 and 33 might both beuppermost or lowermost when it comes time to join them together, thisonly requires that one module 22 in its entirety be rotated 180° aboutits longitudinal axis, and this results in the opposed units 32 and 33again assuming a top and bottom relationship so as to permit the unitsto be connected together.

Thus, the distribution modules 22 or 22′ are nonhanded in that they donot have right and left characteristics, and this greatly simplifies theoverall installation of the communication system on the wall panels, aswell as the connecting of adjacent distribution modules 22 or 22′together. In fact, the modules 22 or 22′ can be positioned within orloosely mounted on the bottom of the panel at the factory if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 23, there is illustrated a modified in-feed module24′ which can be utilized so as to plug directly into the connectorassembly 38 (FIG. 8) or 38′ (FIG. 19). In this modification, the in-feedmodule 24″ terminating in eight flexible cables 82 which project alimited distance beyond a sheath 83, and each of these cable 82 in turnconnects to a port connector 84. Each cable 82 defines therein sixteenconductors which define two telecommunication links, and the portconnector 84 in turn defines thereon sixteen traces which also definethe same two links. In fact, the cable 82 and port connector 84 areidentical to the cable 62 and plug 61 associated with the tap-off module23 described above. The eight port connectors 84 are appropriatelyplugged into the eight ports 54 defined in the connector assembly 38(FIG. 8) or 38′ (FIG. 19), thereby supplying all eight telecommunicationlinks to the system. Each of the port connectors 84 is manually orientedby the installer in the appropriate direction so as to determine whetherthe telecommunication link defined by the port connector is to extendrightwardly or leftwardly from the connector assembly.

Since the plurality of main distribution modules 22 which are seriallyinterconnected by the connector assemblies 38 define an elongatearrangement which typically terminates in a connector unit 32 at one endand a connector unit 33 at the other end, these terminating connectorsare preferably protected by providing each with a suitable end cap,which end cap can be the housing 41 which is fastened to the terminatingconnector unit so as to close off the recesses and the contact groupingsthereof. This end housing 41 need not be provided with contactsassociated with the recesses thereof.

In addition, while FIGS. 19 and 21 illustrate the in-feed moduleconnected to the system at an intermediate connection between adjacentdistribution modules 22 or 22′, nevertheless in some instances it may benecessary or desirable to connect an in-feed module to one end of thesystem, such as at the terminating connector unit 32 or 33 as providedat the free end of the system. In such case, the in-feed module shown inFIGS. 19 or 21 can again be sandwiched between the terminating connectorunit and the end cap described above. Alternatively, a modified in-feedmodule can be provided which, instead of being provided with a two-sidedhead as illustrated by FIGS. 18 and 20, can instead be provided with aone-sided head identical to the connector unit 32 and 33, whereby thisin-feed module connects directly to the terminating connector unit 32 or33 provided at the free or terminating end of the system.

For example, and referring to FIG. 22, there is illustrated theconnector unit 33′ at the free end of the system, which connector unitcan have an end cap 81 secured thereto. Alternately, if in-feed isdesired at this location, the end cap can be constructed generallysimilar to the housing 71′ expect that it will be provided with eightrecesses and associated contact groupings on only side thereof, theother side being closed, and will have the main supply cable 72″ coupledthereto for in-feeding the plurality of telecommunication links to thesystem.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 24-50 which illustrate a further andpreferred variation of the modular communication system of thisinvention. In this embodiment, the main distribution module 122 includesconnector units 132 and 133 joined to opposite ends of the flexibledistribution cable 131 which defines plural (i.e. sixteen)telecommunication links as described above relative to cable 31. Thepreferred connector units 132 and 133 are similar to the connector units32 and 33 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 above although the access ports ofthe preferred embodiment as provided for in-feed and tap-off ofcommunication links are arranged in a single row of eight access portsaccessible from both sides of the connector assembly.

This embodiment further includes an in-feed module 124 formed similar tothe in-feed module 24 of FIG. 23 in that module 124 also includes aplurality of connector plugs for engagement with the ports of theconnector assembly 138, In addition, the connector plugs of both thein-feed module 124 and tap-off module 123 are standardized and utilizedin conjunction with spacer inserts (described hereinafter) which areplaced within selected access ports to break the electrical circuit inone direction as occurs in the above-described embodiments.

It should be understood that the component parts of this preferredembodiment (FIGS. 24-50) are similar to those previously described andaccordingly, the same reference numerals are used although incrementallyincreased by 100 to differentiate the further embodiments describedherein. For example, the different embodiments of the main distributionmodule are identified by reference numerals 22, 122, 222, etc.

More specifically, the preferred embodiment includes a predeterminednumber of main distribution modules 122 which are serially-connected ascan be seen in FIGS. 24 and 25. In particular, the modular communicationsystem 121 is illustrated diagrammatically with the main distributionmodules 122 enlarged and removed from the associated furniture panels orcomponents 12 for illustrative purposes.

Each main distribution module 122 includes elongate connector units 132and 133 at opposite ends of the elongate distribution cable 131. Eachindividual main distribution module 122 is, in the illustratedembodiment, associated with one of the panels 12 and is securable withinthe raceway 14 thereof (not illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25). Tofacilitate assembly of the furniture components 12, each maindistribution module 122 preferably is offset in the raceway astandardized distance such that one connector unit 132 projects out ofthe raceway of the associated panel 12 and into the raceway of theserially adjacent panel 12. The standardized offset thereforefacilitates installation of varying size furniture components 12 bypositioning the connector units 132 and 133 within the racewayintermediate the ends of the respective wall panels and away from anysupport structures which may be located proximate the edges thereof.During installation of the panels 12, the main distribution modules 122are serially-connected one with the other so as to electrically connectthe groupings of telecommunication links, i.e. the voice and data links,for transmission of signals longitudinally along the length of thepanels 12.

With the preferred embodiment of the invention the in-feed module 124may be readily connected at a selected location along the length of theserially-connected main distribution modules 122, for example at thecenter panel as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 25. similar to theembodiments previously described, the in-feed module 124 permitsselected communication links to be directed to a particular workstationeither leftwardly or rightwaraly as indicated by respective referencearrows A and B so as to thereafter permit selective tapping-off of thevoice and data links to adjacent workstations by tap-off modules 123.

Referring to FIGS. 26-28, the connector unit 132 of one maindistribution module 122 is serially mated to an opposing connector unit133 of a serially adjacent main distribution module 122. When matedtogether, the opposing connector units 132 and 133 define a connectorassembly 138 having a plurality of, preferably eight, access openings153-1 to 153-8 through both side walls 144 of the connector assembly138. The access openings 153-1 to 153-8 are part of access ports 154-1to 154-8 which are each adapted to receive therein a plug part 161 ofone of the aforesaid tap-off modules 123 or, alternatively, a connectorpart 184 of the in-feed module 124.

The lower connector unit 132 includes an elongated platelike housing 141(FIGS. 29-30) having an upward facing abutment surface 142. The housing141 defines a plurality of longitudinally-spaced recesses 145 which openlaterally through both of the opposite side walls 144 and which alsoopen upwardly through the abutment surface 142. In this preferredembodiment, eight such recesses 145 are provided which are arrangedlongitudinally in a lengthwise row along each of the connector units 132and 133. To accommodate greater or lesser numbers of workstations, thenumber of recesses 145 and if necessary, the length of the housing 141may be increased or decreased to vary the number of access ports 154defined thereby.

Referring to FIG. 29, each recess 145 has positioned therein a pluralityof resilient electrical contacts 146, preferably sixteen, which definetwo subgroups of conductors 147, i.e. the two telecommunication links136-1 and 136-2. Here again, one of the subgroups 147 defines atelecommunication link for voice and the other subgroup 147 adjacentthereto defines a telecommunication link for data. Since access openings153-8 are provided at opposite ends of the recess 145, instead of onlyat one end as described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, theresilient contacts 146 are accessible from both sides of the connectorunit 132 for selective connection to the tap-off and in-feed modules 123and 124 respectively.

In addition, each recess 145 preferably includes a series of insulativeribs 149 in parallel relation which each are accommodated between pairsof the contacts 146. A number of these ribs 149 are shown removed forclarity. The electrical contacts 146 preferably have a U-shape, theresilient parts 151 of which are cantilevered above a surface of theaccess port 154. The resilient upper part 151 of each contact 146 alsoincludes an arcuate or dimple portion 185 which projects slightlyoutwardly above the respective abutment surface 142 when in the relaxednondeflected condition to facilitate contact with the other connectorunit 133 being mated thereto. While FIG. 41 and the accompanyingdrawings only depict the electrical contacts 146 provided in one of theeight recesses 145, this is done solely for simplicity of illustration,and it should be understood that each recess 145 is provided withsubstantially identical groups of contacts 146 that preferably definethe voice and data links.

Referring to FIGS. 29-31, to facilitate correct orientation of the plugparts 161 of the tap-off modules 123 or the connector parts 184 of thein-feed module 124 upon insertion through the access openings 153, therecess 145 includes a portion 186 of rectangular cross section whichdefines the access opening 153 at one end of the recess 145. The recess145 also includes a portion 187 of upwardly and inwardly convergingtrapezoidal cross section which defines the opposite access opening 153.The trapezoidal portion 187 extends across a majority of the width ofthe recess 145 before merging into the rectangular portion 186.

The recesses 145 of the connector unit 132 are formed substantially thesame as the connector unit 133, such that when the connector units 132and 133 are mated together, the rectangular portion 186 of one connectorunit cooperates with the trapezoidal portion 187 of the other connectorunit, and vice versa. As shown in FIG. 27, the cooperating rectangularand trapezoidal portions 186 and 187 define a shape for the accessopening 153 which is symmetrical relative to a vertical axis. The accessopening 153, however, on the other side of the connector assembly 138 asshown in FIG. 28 also has the same shape although it is inverted 180°about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally along the connectorassembly. Thus, each access opening 153 provides access to a respectivesocket 154-1 to 154-8, as defined by the recesses 145, and is shaped toaccommodate a “keyed” tap-off module 123 or in-feed module 124 forinsertion therein in a predetermined orientation. The specific structureand function of the keying is discussed hereinafter with respect to thespecific structures of the tap-off and in-feed modules 123 and 124.

To facilitate mating of the connector units 132 and 133 one with theother, a tongue and groove arrangement preferably is provided as thefastening method. Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, the connector unit 132(as viewed from one side) includes a transverse slot 188 which is formedin the housing 141 and is open along its length outwardly through theabutment surface 142. The transverse slot 188 extends between a closedend 189 and an open end 190 and is disposed in a housing abutment wall142 a which defines one side of the recess 145. This transverse slot 188is provided with an inverted T-shaped cross section, and the open end190 terminates at an inwardly recessed shoulder 191.

The other connector unit 133 (as viewed from the other side in FIG. 31)includes a transverse tongue 192 which has a T-shaped cross sectioncorresponding to the cross-section of the transverse slot 188. Thistongue projects downwardly from the abutment surface 142. The transversetongue 192 terminates at an abutment wall 193 and is dimensioned suchthat when the transverse tongue 192 is inserted into the transverse slot187 laterally through the open end 190, the recessed shoulder 191 of thelower connector unit 132 abuts and seats against the abutment wall 193of the mutually adjacent connector unit 133 whereby the connector units132 and 133 are mated and fixedly secured together.

Referring now to FIG. 32, when the connector units 132 and 133 areconnected one with the other, the arcuate portions 185 of the respectiveresilient parts 151 of the electrical contacts 146 directly andindividually press one against the other in resiliently biasedengagement to complete an electrical circuit between the electricalcontacts 146 of the connector unit 132 and the contacts 146 of theconnector unit 133. In particular, the mutually adjacent arcuateportions 185 of the contacts 146 of the connector units 132 and 133remain in resiliently biased engagement. When in this contacting state,the contacts 164 are in a pass-through condition for the passage oftelecommunication signals through the main distribution modules 122.

As illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 33, each main distribution module 122includes a predetermined length of the elongate distribution cable 131which is connected at its opposite ends to the respective connectorunits 132 and 133. The distribution cable 131 may be formed of aplurality of layers of substantially flat ribbon cable. Each layer ofribbon cable is provided with a sufficient number of parallel wires orconductors so as to define one or more communication links. While FIG.26 diagrammatically illustrates four layers of ribbon cable, thepreferred number of layers is eight, with each ribbon cable layercarrying two communication links, and which number of cable layerscorresponds to the number of access ports 154 in the connector assembly138.

Each layer of ribbon cable of the distribution cable 131 terminates attail portions 194 (FIG. 33) at opposite ends thereof, which tailportions are electrically connected to the electrical contacts 146 ofthe particular recess 145 associated therewith. More specifically, theindividual tail portions 194 of each of the multiple layers of ribboncable are spaced apart longitudinally relative to the axial length ofthe distribution cable 131 so that the tail portions 194 are disposedalong the axial length of the associated connector unit. Each of thetail portions 194-1 to 194-8 are then connected to the electricalcontacts 146 of a respective recess 145. Preferably, each layer ofribbon cable is formed with the same length and is axially staggered toform the elongate distribution cable 131 such that the tail 194-1 at theextremity of one end of the distribution cable 131 (for example, theleftward end) is disposed so as to be the innermost tail portion 194-1at the opposite end thereof (the rightward end). This ensures that eachaccess opening 153-1 to 153-8 and in particular, the access ports 154 atthe various connector locations are capable of providing access to thesame pair of communication links along the entire length of the modularcommunication system 121.

To orient the connector units 132 and 133 of each module 122 so that oneconnector unit faces upwardly while the other faces downwardly, theelongate distribution cable 131 preferably is provided with a 90° twistat one end thereof about a horizontal longitudinal axis, and is alsoprovided with a −90° twist about the horizontal axis at the other end.In addition to orienting the connector units 132 and 133 for theserial-connection of the main distribution modules 122, this twisting ofthe distribution cable 131 facilitates the formation of a loop in theintermediate portion of the elongate distribution cable 131 whichpermits the distribution cable to be seated within the furniturecomponent raceway. In particular, formation of a loop in thedistribution cable 131 permits the cable to be snaked around verticalsupport posts (not illustrated) which commonly are found in the racewaysof furniture panels or components. The loop also permits thedistribution cable 131 to be axially flexible to ease installation ofthe modular communication system 121.

To more readily permit bending of the ribbon cable particularly in thearea of the looped portion, the layers of ribbon cable preferably arenot bonded one with the other but instead are loosely bound together topermit a shearing movement between the individual layers. The layers maystill be banded together at periodic intervals along the length of thecable so long as sufficient shearing movement is permitted. It should beunderstood that the depiction of the elongate distribution cable 131 hasbeen eliminated from the accompanying figures for illustrative purposesonly.

In a variation, the opposite end 5 of each cable layer may be providedwith cassettes (not illustrated) which each define an access port 154therein that is connected to the conductors of that particular cablelayer. The housings 41 would be hollow to define a chamber in each whichaccommodates a plurality of cassettes, which when assembled togetherforms the connector units 132 and 133 and elongate distribution cable131 of the main distribution module 122.

Considering now the tap-off modules 123 and the in-feed module 124, andreferring to FIGS. 26 and 34, both of the modules include a common plugpart 161 (or port connector 184 as previously described herein withrespect to FIG. 23) which in adapted to be received through a selectedone of the access openings 153-1 to 153-8 (on either side of theconnector assembly 138) for engagement with the corresponding accessports 154-1 to 154-8. Each plug part 161 is connected to a tap-off cable162 which leads to corresponding module jacks (not illustrated), andeach port connector 184 is connected to an in-feed cable 182 which leadback to the wiring closet. Each cable 162 or 182 preferably includessixteen conductors to define two 4-pair telecommunication links (onedata, one voice). Since the plug part 161 and port connector 184 areformed substantially the same for both the tap-off and in-feed modules,the following description will hereafter refer to only the plug part161, although it should be understood that the description appliesequally to the port connector 184 of the in-feed module 124.

The plug part 161 includes a U-spaced head part 169 and a blade or plate166 which includes a set of electrically conductive contacts or tracings167 on both sides thereof. The tracings 167 are electrically connectedto the respective cables 162 (or 182 in the case of an in-feed module124). The tracings 167 on each side of the plate 166 are positioned anddimensioned so as to be directly and individually connected to the voiceand data carrying contacts of the connector units 132 and 133 previouslydescribed herein. Preferably, the plate 166 and tracings 167 are formedlike a computer circuit board which plate 166 is then slidabily insertedinto slots 195 formed in the inside surfaces of opposing parallel siderails 169 a of the head part 169.

The side rails 169 a of plug part 161 include a substantiallyrectangular portion and a substantially trapezoidal portion along theexterior surfaces thereof to define a “keyed” shape which is adapted toslidably seat within the correspondingly shaped access openings 153. Aspreviously described, the shape of the access openings 153 is invertedon the opposite sides of the connector assembly 138 such that the plugpart 161 may be slidably inserted on one side when in one orientation,but must be rotated 180° in a vertical plane to a second invertedorientation to permit insertion on the opposite side of the connectorassembly 138. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the trapezoidalportions on the plug parts 161 located on the backside of connectorassembly 138 is disposed at the bottom thereof for insertion into theassociated access opening 153. Conversely, the trapezoidal portions ofthe plug part 161 illustrated on the front side of the connectorassembly 138 is inverted so that the keyed or trapezoidal portions aredisposed on the top of the plug part 161. This ensures that theparticular group of tracings 167 on the plate 166 which are assigned tocarry voice signals, and the adjacent group of tracings 167 which areassigned to carry data signals, continue to carry such signalsregardless of which side of the connector assembly 138 that the plugparts 161 are inserted from.

Referring now to FIGS. 35-43, to selectively tap-off the signals (i.e.links) from the connector assembly 138, insulative spacer inserts 196are provided in the preferred embodiment for selective insertion in theaccess ports 154 between the opposing electrical contacts 146 of theconnector units 132 and 133. The spacer inserts 196 preferably areformed of a cost-efficient, non-conductive material such as a polymer.Once positioned, the spacer inserts 196 only permit the tracings 147 onone side of the plate 166 to make contact with the electrical contacts146 upon insertion of the plug part 161 into the respective access port154. This completes an electrical circuit therethrough while breakingthe connection on the opposite side.

The insulative inserts 196 may have two parallel rows, i.e. bedouble-sided, which each have sidewalls 197 and a plurality of steppedcantilevered projections 198 which extend laterally inwards for seatingwithin the recesses 145. The spacer inserts 196 may be removablyconnected to the connector units 132 and 133 by any common fastenermethods such as a snap-fit arrangement. As illustrated, the double-sidedarrangement is retained between two connector units as seen in FIG. 32,The stepped projections 198 are provided with a sufficiently smallthickness so that when no tap-off module 123 is provided thereat, theinsert 196 permits the arcuate portions 185 of opposing resilientelectrical contacts 146 to remain in resiliently biased contact evenwhen the spacer inserts 196 are disposed therebetween.

Preferably, however, the spacer inserts 196 are provided with thesingle-sided arrangement illustrated in FIG. 38 or the single-piecearrangement illustrated in FIG. 39. By providing the single-sided orsingle-piece arrangements, the spacer inserts 196 may be selectivelyinserted into the recesses 145 respectively through the access openings153 on one side of the connector assembly or through individual accessopenings 153 without disassembling the connector assembly 138. Removalis accomplished by first disengaging any plug parts 161 therefrom andthen simply pulling the spacer insert 196 from the connector assembly.This readily permits rearrangement of the module communication system121 without requiring disassembly of the components.

More particularly, the inserts 196, for example, the single-pieceinserts 196 (FIG. 39) illustrated in phantom outline in FIGS. 27 and 28,may be inserted into a selected one of the access openings 153 fromeither side of the connector assembly. As illustrated in FIG. 44, whenthe inserts 196 are inserted within the recesses 145, the opposingelectrical contacts 146 remain in contact and a circuit is completedthereby. When being inserted into one particular opening 153, theinserts 196 also are connected to one of either the connector unit 132(as illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41) or the connector unit 133 (asillustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43). The inserts 194 should be provided witha sufficient thickness such that when the plug part 161 is receivedwithin the access port 154, the insert 196 is deflected which effectsseparation of one group of contacts 146 from the tracings 147 on theplug part 161.

In determining which connector unit 132 or 133 of assembly 138 theinsert 196 is to be connected to, the insert 196 is placed on theparticular connector unit through which the electrical circuit will bedead. For example, for a tap-off location, the inserts 196 are connectedto the connector unit 132 or 133 on the downstream side thereof, i.e. onthe connector unit 132 or 133 which is downstream of the in-feedlocation since the inserts 196 serve to break the signal paths uponinsertion of one of the plug parts 161.

More specifically, when a plug part 161 is inserted within the recess145, the tracings 147 a (FIG. 40) on one side of the plate 166 completean electrical path between the cable 162 of the plug part 161 and theelectrical contacts 146. With this arrangement, the insulative insert196 separates the opposite electrical contact 146 from the oppositetracings 147 b on the plate 166. The signal path is thus completed fromthe connector unit 133 to the plug part 161, while the signal pathdownstream therefrom (i.e. in connector unit 132) is broken.

In addition, upon insertion of the plug part 161 from the other side ofthe recess 145 as shown in FIG. 41, the plate 166 also extends withinthe access port 154 to deflect the insert 196. This has the same resultof completing an electrical circuit through the tracings 147 on one sideof the plate 166 while breaking the electrical circuit on the oppositeside thereof.

The insulative spacer inserts 196 are also mounted on the connectorassembly to which the in-feed module 124 connects. The individual orsingle spacers 196 of FIG. 39 are preferably used, and one such spaceris inserted into each port 154 which receives therein an in-feed plugpart 184, which plug part 184 can be inserted from either side ofassembly 138. If the in-feed link is to be supplied to the bottomconnector unit 132 (direction A in FIG. 24), then the insert 196 ismounted in the upper unit 133 similar to FIGS. 42-43. On the other hand,if the in-feed link is to be supplied to upper connector unit 133 forsupply in direction B of FIG. 24, then the insert 196 is mounted in thelower unit 132 similar to FIGS. 40-41. This thus enables the in-feedlink to be supplied in only one direction, but enables selection ofdirection A or B by selective positioning of insert 196 for each port154.

In operation, an installer determines where an in-feed location will bealong the length of the distribution modules 122, which areserially-connected one with the other, and also determines the locationsof the various workstations with respect thereto. Accordingly, thein-feed module 124 is extended through the panels 12 to the desiredconnector assembly 138 using the general techniques disclosed herein.Thereafter, the installer inserts the plug parts 184 of the in-feedmodule 124 into the ports of the assembly 138. Preferably the multipleplug part arrangement for the in-feed module 124 previously illustratedin FIG. 23 is utilized although it should be understood that the plugparts 184 themselves are provided with the preferred constructionillustrated in FIG. 34. Typically, the plug parts 184 will be insertedon a single side of the connector assembly 138 as illustrated in FIG.25, although the preferred embodiment of the invention allows the optionof using the access openings 153 on either side of the connectorassembly 138.

Routing of the particular communication links in either the A or Bdirections is accomplished by selectively placing the spacer inserts 196within the access openings 153-1 to 153-8, which are formed by theassembled connector units 132 or 133, and which inserts 196 are placedon the connector unit opposite to the direction that thetelecommunication links will be routed. For example, if one grouping oftelecommunication links is to be routed in the direction indicated byarrow A in FIG. 25, the spacer or spacers will be inserted within theaccess ports 154 and removably fastened to the connector unit 133 asillustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43. Upon insertion of the plug 184 of thein-feed module 124, the circuit is broken through the connector unit 133while being completed through the connector unit 132.

To route the communication link in the direction of arrow B, the insert196 would be connected to the connector unit 132 as illustrated in FIG.40. By using the single-piece inserts 196 (FIG. 39), each of the eightgroupings of telecommunication links may be selectively routed in eitherthe A or B directions.

Typically, once the in-feed module 124 is installed, tap-off modules 123are provided at locations corresponding to the particular workstationareas being served. At a tap-off location, the insert 196 would beconnected to the connector unit disposed on the downstream side of thetap-off location. For example, to tap-off on the side of the in-feedlocation which is indicated by arrow B in FIG. 25, the insert 196 wouldbe connected to the connector unit 133 such that an electrical circuitis completed between the connector unit 132 and the tap-off module 123,while the signal path downstream therefrom is broken by the insert 196and the space created thereby. The above-described preferred arrangementpermits the tap-off module 123 to be inserted through the openings 153on either side of the connector assembly 138.

Upon changing the in-feed location, an installer would only need tochange the orientation of the inserts 196, i.e. move the inserts 196from one to the other of the opposing mate a connector units, and onlyfor those inserts 196 at tap-off locations which are located between theold in-feed location and the new in-feed location. The remainder of thetap-off locations already would be configured correctly. In addition,for changing workstation locations, a user would only need to insert aspacer insert 196 on the downstream connector unit 132 or 133 and theninsert a tap-off module 123 on the side closest to the workstation.Thus, minimal reconfiguration of the system is necessary during systemchanges. At the ends of the modular communication system 121, caps alsomay be provided on the exposed connector units 132 or 133.

Alternatively, the modified plug parts 261 may be provided asillustrated in FIGS. 44 and 45, for use with the above-describedconnector assemblies 138. The plug parts 261 are similar to the plugparts 161 described above although the tracings 167 on one side of theplate 166 are removed. Thus, the plug part 261 would have an insulativesurface on one side and tracings 267 on an opposite surface of the plate266. This alternative arrangement similarly makes or completes anelectrical circuit through the tracings 267 while breaking theelectrical circuit on the opposite side thereof.

Upon insertion of the plug part 261 into the access port 154 defined bythe connector units 132 and 133 as shown in FIG. 46, the tracings 267contact the resilient electrical contacts 146 of the connector unit 133so as to complete an electrical circuit therethrough. conversely, theopposite side of the plate 266 is an insulative surface which breaks theelectrical signal through the connector unit 132 downstream therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 47, by rotating the plug part 261 180° through avertical plane, the plug part 261 can be inserted through the oppositeaccess opening 153. Consequently, the circuit is broken through theconnector unit 133 and completed through the other connector unit 132.Thus, depending upon the particular access opening 153 of the recess 145being used, a circuit can be completed between the plug part 261 andeither one of the connector units 132 or 133.

In operation, the plug part 261 could be a plug part of an in-feedmodule 224 which could be inserted on one side of the connector units132 and 133 to direct the signal path in one direction and could beinserted on the other side of the connector units to direct the signalpath in the opposite direction. The same plug part 261 could also serveas a plug part for a tap-off module 223.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 48 and 49, the tracings 267 maybe provided on the opposite side of the plate 266 to provide a secondconfiguration for a tap-off module 223 or the in-feed module 224 whichalso provides access from the sides of the connector units. Thisconfiguration, however, operates opposite the configuration illustratedin FIGS. 46 and 47.

A further modified embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 50 wherein the plugpart 361 functions similar to the aforesaid embodiments. The plug part361 includes intermediate slots 395 a for slidably receiving the plate366 therein and upper slots 395 b and lower slots 395 c which extendparallel to the intermediate slots 395 a. Instead of providing theconnector units 132 and 133 with the spacer inserts 196, the upper andlower slots 395 b and 395 c are dimensioned so as to slidably receive aspacer insert 399 selectively positioned above (as illustrated in solidlines) or below (as illustrated in phantom outline) the plate 366. Byselectively positioning the spacer insert 399 above or below the plate366, the tracings 347 on one side of the plate 366 are covered therebywhile the other side remains exposed for contacting engagement with theelectrical contacts 146 upon insertion of the plug part 361 into aselected access port 154. As a result, selected connections may becompleted between the electrical contacts 146 and either the sets of thetracings 367 a or 367 b upon insertion of the plug part 361 into one ofthe access ports 154, from either side of the assembly 138, such thatthe in-feed modules selectively route and the tap-off modulesselectively tap-off the communication links.

Referring to FIGS. 51-57, the modular communication system 21 may alsobe arranged such that an in-feed panel 412 a is provided at the in-feedlocation which in-feed panel 412 a has a pair of main distributionmodules 422 disposed in the raceway thereof. This in-feed panel 412 amay take the form of a standard panel provided with a second maindistribution module 122.

From this in-feed panel 412 a, the main distribution modules 422 extendin the directions indicated by arrows A and B. In the in-feed panel 412a, the free ends of the main distribution modules 422, i.e. theconnector units 433, remain disconnected from each other unlike theaforesaid embodiments. Instead the connector units 433 are provided withcover units 481 which are formed similar to connector units 132, yetwithout the electrical contacts 446 therein.

In the connector units 432 and 433, the electrical contacts 444 areoriented so that the free ends thereof extend in the same direction ascan be seen in FIG. 53. The plug part is illustrated as it would appearin both the leftward and rightward positions.

The particular plug parts 461 of the tap-off module preferably areformed as illustrated in FIG. 53 with a small spacer 499 a on one sideof the plate 466 and a large spacer 499 b on the opposite side of theplate 466. The small spacer 499 a is disposed closer to the tracings 467than the large spacer 499 b. The plug part 461 is illustrated both as itwould be on the rightward side prior to insertion and on the leftwardside.

The plug part 461 shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 is formed for use as atap-off module 423 since the connector units 432 typically are disposedupstream relative to the connector unit 433, and thus receive thetelecommunication signals. Thus, the tap-off module 423 is inserted sothat a connection is made between the plug part 461 and the connectorunit 132 which is carrying the telecommunications signals from thein-feed panel 412 a.

Referring to FIGS. 56 and 57 which illustrate a plug part 461′ of anin-feed module 424 for engagement with connector unit 433 on the in-feedpanel 412A. This plug part 461′ can be inserted from either side of unit433, and can also be rotated 180° about the longitudinal extent of itscable so as to properly align and plug into the unit from either side.

While the embodiments of the modular communication system as describedherein possess sixteen telecommunication links disposed in groupings oftwo links each, it will be appreciated that the number of links and thegroupings thereof can be significantly varied depending upon user needs,space limitations, accessibility to the closet, and the like. While eachaccess port in the connector assembly can access only a single link,nevertheless it is believed more desirable and expedient to access apair of links since substantially all workstations require separatevoice and data links, and the present invention is able to provide thisneed in a simple and efficient manner. It will be appreciated that anyparticular workstation can be provided with additional links, ifnecessary, merely by using two or more tap-off modules for supplyingadditional links to the same workstation. Further, even though theaccess ports may be provided on different sides or surfaces of theconnector assembly, it will be recognized that the cables associatedWith the tap-off modules are sufficiently small and flexible as toenable the cables and the tap-off plugs thereon to be bent around theconnector assembly so as to be plugged into an opposite side thereoffrom the workstation, if desired or necessary.

It will also be understood that the construction and interconnection ofthe wall panels, as well as the provision of a raceway in associationtherewith for accommodating the communication system, may assume manydifferent conventional constructions as are well known in the officefurniture industry. For example only, however, attention is directed toU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,060,294, 4,080,366, and 4,277,123, all owned by theAssignee hereof, for showing examples of such panels and of theconstruction thereof.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 58-69 which are diagrammatic planviews which illustrate several arrangements and variations of themodular communication system of this invention. In these views, thereference to the “data distribution assembly” refers to the modularcommunication system, reference to “data tap” means the tap-off module,with the “in-line” data tap being a tap-off module which connectsdirectly into the aligned modules of the system, the reference to the“data distribution segments” mean the main distribution modules, thereference to “quick connectors” mean the connector units, the referenceto a “data feed” means the in-feed module, with the “one-way” data feedbeing connectable at an end or location so that the telecommunicationlinks project only in one direction downstream therefrom, whereas the“two-way” data feed connects intermediate the length of the system sothat selected telecommunication links project in opposite directionstherefrom. In these drawings, reference is also made to a “data T”, thisbeing a connector which is provided as an integral part of thedistribution segment and which cooperates with the data taps.

In the modules diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 58-69, theconnectors as well as the taps and data feeds are all provided withhousings which each possess male and female characteristics so that whentwo such housings join together as illustrated in the drawings, themale-female parts on one housing respectively mate with the female-maleparts on the other housing to provide a quick connect-disconnect betweenadjacent modules. Such connections in terms of the way in which theyinterf it to define a nonhanded relationship, are themselves well known.The connections, namely the male-female properties associated with thehousings thereof, do not effect the contact connections, which contactconnections can be generally in accordance with those which have beendescribed above. In this case, however, where the tap-offs have ahousing or plug part which plugs either directly in-line or into aseparate data T, the connectors no longer need to provide access portsas in the previous y described variations.

It should further be noted that the line diagrams associated with FIGS.58-69 show only six telecommunication links (i.e. data paths) forpurposes of illustration, but the number of such links can obviously bevaried as desired, including eight links as described above relative tothe variations previously described.

More particularly, a data distribution assembly with in-line data tapsand one-way data feeds is illustrated in FIGS. 58A, 58B and 58C.Referencing FIGS. 58A, 58B and 58C, the data distribution assemblyincludes data distribution segments which have a length equal to a panellength, are pre-wired with connectors attached thereto and arepreassembled with a panel. Additionally, the one-way data feed isillustrated in FIG. 58A at the right end thereof although it may belocated at either end of the assembly. FIG. 58B illustrates a similardata feed at the opposite end of the assembly which extends to acomputer/telephone closet. Quick connectors are provided on the datadistribution segments and in-line data taps are provided for voice anddata with pre-terminated jacks at the ends thereof. FIG. 58C illustratesthe configuration and layout of the modular cabling system with in-linedata taps and a bi-directional data feed which may be located anywherealong the length of the data distribution assembly between twoaerially-adjacent data distribution segments. The bi-directional datafeed extends to the computer/telephone closet.

In FIGS. 59A and 59B, a data distribution assembly with data T's isillustrated where the data taps connect to data T's rather than in-lineas in previous FIGS. 58A, 58B and 58C. The benefit is that individualusers can connect and disconnect without disrupting other users. In FIG.59A, the bi-directional data feed is illustrated at the rightward end ofthe data distribution assembly and extends to a telephone/computercloset. FIG. 59B illustrates the bi-directional data feed connectedbetween two serially-adjacent data distribution segments and extendingto the telephone/computer closet. The data taps are pre-terminated andaccommodate voice and data.

FIGS. 60A and 60B illustrate a combinational data distribution assemblywhere the data distribution segments come in two versions, namely, oneversion having data T's for connection of data taps and another versionfor pass-through only. Data taps are illustrated which connect to thosedata distribution segment having the data T therein. FIG. 60A alsoillustrates one of the pass-through data distribution segments disposedserially between two of the data distribution segments which have dataT's. FIG. 60B illustrates a bi-directional data feed connected to theassembly.

FIGS. 61A and 61B illustrate extended length data distribution segmentswhich are longer in length and run the length of two or more panels. Theextended length data distribution segments may be based on office sizerather than panel size. FIG. 61A illustrates a data feed at the leftwardend of the system while FIG. 61B illustrates the data feed between twoserially-adjacent distribution segments.

FIGS. 62A and 62B illustrate a data distribution segment having suchfeatures as a length based on panel or furniture component size, anon-handed design (genderless connectors), quick connectors on oppositeends for attachment to other segments, feeds or taps, integral strainrelief, pre-attachability to furniture-like power systems, and acapacity to service voice and data requirements for a minimum of sixoffices.

FIGS. 63A and 63B illustrate an in-line data tap which has such featuresas the ability to access and terminate desired data paths, providepass-through of all other paths, quick connectors on both ends forattachment to distribution segments, feeds or other taps, pre-terminatedmodular connectors for computer and phone attachment, and integralstrain relief. This in-line data tap must be oriented in a properdirection as illustrated by the reference arrow in FIG. 63A. Moreparticularly, the in-line data tap provides integral strain relief withcables formed of two four-pair UTP cables having a same configurationand a length which is predetermined. The two modular jacks are providedfor voice and for data.

FIGS. 64A and 64B illustrate a data distribution segment with a data Tfor attachment of data taps. This data distribution segment incorporatessuch features as a length based on panel or furniture component size, anon-handed design (genderless connectors), quick connectors on both endsfor attachment to other segments, feeds or taps, integral strain relief,pre-attachability to furniture-like power system, a capacity to servicevoice and data requirements for six offices minimum, and T connectorsfor attachment of data taps. Insertion of a data tap breaks thecontinuation of the path therethrough while orientation of the inserteddata tap determines the direction of the signal path.

FIGS. 65A and 65B illustrate a data tap which uses two modular jacks forvoice and data respectively, and two four-pair UTP cables with a sameconfiguration and a predetermined length. The cables provide integralstrain relief while the data tap incorporates such features as providingaccess and terminations to desired data paths, orientation of data tapdetermines direction of data path and data distribution segment,pre-terminated modular connectors for computer and phone attachment, andproviding integral strain relief.

FIGS. 66A and 66B illustrate a one-way data feed which provides integralstrain relief and connection between a data distribution assembly andthe computer/telephone closet. The one-way data feed connects thebuilding cabling to the data distribution assembly with the length andconfiguration of the closet end of the data feed being provided asnecessary. The data feed has the capacity to service voice and datarequirements for a minimum of six offices and must be attached to eitherend of the data distribution assembly since it is not constructed forconnection in the middle of a run of data distribution assemblies.

FIGS. 67A and 67B illustrate a bi-directional data feed for connectionbetween the data distribution assembly and the computer/telephone closetwhile providing integral strain relief. Here again, the building cablingis connected to the data distribution assembly with the length andconfiguration of the closet end of the data feed to be determined. Thisdata feed provides a six office capacity for voice and data requirementsand may be located anywhere along the length of the data distributionassembly with the direction of each data path being selectable forproper routing of signals to desired offices.

FIGS. 68A and 68B illustrate a data distribution segment with a data tapattached where a data path is accessed by the data tap and the data pathis discontinued in the direction away from the data tap.

FIG. 69 illustrates a typical layout and configuration of the modularcabling system illustrating a data distribution assemblydiagrammatically represented as providing data taps for voice and datato six separate work station areas which data distribution assembly isconnected at the rightward end to a data feed as discussed above.

While the modular communication system of this invention has beendescribed above in conjunction with a wall system defined by portableupright space-dividing panels, it will be appreciated that the modularcommunication system Of this invention also has significant capabilityfor use with other components, particularly furniture components, andcan, for example, be provided for use on a series of linking desks orworksurfaces. This modular communication system is also highly desirablefor use in a beam-type space-dividing arrangement, such type arrangementbeing illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,370.

Attention is also directed to application Ser. No. 08/377 915, filedJan. 25, 1995 and issuing into U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,714 through anintermediate CIP application; and inventors Ross Johnson and HaroldWilson, and entitled “MODULAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM”. The disclosure ofthis latter-mentioned application is incorporated herein, in itsentirety, by reference.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognizedthat variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, includingthe rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the presentinvention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A communication cablingarrangement comprising: a housing unit having first and second cablesconnected thereto, said first and second cables having a plurality ofconductors which define a plurality of communication links extendingthrough each of said first and second cables, said cable linkstransmitting voice and/or data signals therethrough, said housing unitincluding housing contact terminals which are connected respectively toeach of said cable links wherein said housing terminals corresponding tosaid cable links of said first cable respectively engage said housingterminals corresponding to said cable links of said second cable so thatsaid cable links extend through said housing unit by said engagedhousing terminals; said housing unit defining thereon a plurality ofaccess ports which permit access to said engaged housing terminals topermit connection to said cable links corresponding thereto, saidengaged housing terminals in each said access port being arranged in afirst terminal grouping which corresponds to one of said cable links anda second terminal grouping which corresponds to another of said cablelinks so that each said access port permits access to at least two, butless than all of said cable links; and a plug module having a plug partwhich is insertable into a selected one of said access ports, said plugmodule including conductors defining a plurality of plug links which areadapted to transmit voice and/or data signals therethrough and said plugpart including a plurality of plug contacts which are connected to saidplug links, said plug contacts being arranged in a first contactgrouping which corresponding to one of said plug links and a secondcontact grouping which corresponds to another of said plug links whereinsaid first and second contact groupings are connected to said first andsecond terminal groupings when said plug part is inserted into one ofsaid access ports.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein saidplug links are connected to respective outlets wherein each of saidfirst and second contact groupings of said plug part corresponds to oneof said outlets.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein saidplug part is insertable into said access port in a first orientationwherein said first and second contact groupings thereof are connected tosaid first and second terminal groupings respectively of said accessport and in a second orientation wherein said first and second contactgroupings are respectively connected to said second and first terminalgroupings.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said firstcontact grouping of each said access port is dedicated to voice signalsand said second contact grouping of each said access port is dedicatedto data signals.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein saidplug part separates said engaged housing terminals when inserted in saidaccess port to connect said plug links to said cable links of one ofsaid first and second cables and break said cable links in the other ofsaid first and second cables.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 3,wherein said first terminal grouping of each said access port isdedicated to voice signals and said second contact grouping thereof isdedicated to data signals, said first and second contact groupings ofsaid plug module carrying voice and data signals respectively when insaid first orientation and carrying data and voice signals respectivelywhen in said second orientation.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6,wherein each said access port includes opposite open sided which eachpermit access to said first and second terminal groupings, said plugpart being engagable with one of said open sides only when in said firstorientation and being engagable with the other of said open sides onlywhen in said second orientation.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 1,wherein said plug module is one of an in-feed module which suppliessignals to said housing unit and a tap-off module which receives signalsfrom said housing unit.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 1, whereinsaid housing unit has opposite ends and side faces extendinglongitudinally between said opposite ends, said first and second cablesextending longitudinally away from said housing unit, and said accessports being arranged in a row extending longitudinally along at leastone of said side faces.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, whereinsaid housing unit is defined by a pair of connector units which extendlongitudinally and are joined together in sidewardly adjacent relation.11. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said housing unit hasopposite ends and side faces extending in a longitudinal directionbetween said opposite ends, said first and second cables extendinglongitudinally away from said housing unit, and said access ports beingarranged on said side faces transversely one next to the other relativeto the longitudinal direction.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 11,wherein said housing unit is defined by a pair of connector units whichextend longitudinally and are joined together in longitudinally adjacentrelation.
 13. A communication cabling arrangement comprising: aplurality of elongate cable modules each including an elongate cablewhich defines a plurality of communication links extendinglongitudinally therethrough and a connector unit on each end of saidcable, said connector units having contact terminals therein which areconnected to said plurality of cable links, said connector units asprovided on adjacent ends of said cables being interconnected togetherwherein the connector terminals on one of said connector unitsrespectively engage the individual connector terminals on the otheradjacent connector unit such that the cable links extend through saidcommunication cabling arrangement, each of said connector unitsincluding a longitudinally-extending engagement face through which saidconnector terminals are exposed to permit said connector terminals ofthe adjacent connector units to be engaged when said adjacent connectorunits are interconnected together; said interconnected connector unitsdefining thereon a plurality of access ports which permit access to atleast one, but less than all of said cable links, said engaged connectorterminals being accessible through said access port to permit connectionto said cable links corresponding to said engaged connector terminals;and a plug module having a plug part which is insertable into a selectedone of said access ports, said plug module including conductors definingat least one plug link which is adapted to transmit voice and/or datasignals therethrough and said plug part including a plurality of plugcontacts which are connected to said plug link, said plug contacts beingconnected to said connector terminals when said plug part is inserted inone of said access ports such that said plug link is connected to saidcable link accessible through said one access port.
 14. An arrangementaccording to claim 13, wherein said engagement face extendslongitudinally and said connector terminals are exposed sidewardly, eachof said cable modules having said connector unit on one end thereoffacing in a first sideward direction and said connector unit on theother end thereof facing in a second sideward direction opposite saidfirst sideward direction.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 14,wherein said access ports on each of said connector units are arrangedin a longitudinal row.
 16. An arrangement according to claim 13, whereinsaid engaged connector terminals in each said access port are arrangedin a first terminal grouping which corresponds to one of said cablelinks and a second terminal grouping which corresponds to another ofsaid cable links so that each said access port permits access to atleast two of said cable links.
 17. An arrangement according to claim 16,wherein said plug contacts are arranged in a first contact groupingwhich corresponds to one said plug link and a second contact groupingwhich corresponds to another said plug link wherein said first andsecond contact groupings are connected to said first and second terminalgroupings when said plug part is inserted to one of said access ports.18. An arrangement according to claim 17, wherein said engagement faceextends longitudinally and said respective connector terminals areexposed sidewardly, each of said cable modules having said connectorunit on one end thereof facing in a first sideward direction, and saidconnector unit on the other end facing in a second sideward directionfacing opposite said first sideward direction.
 19. A communicationcabling arrangement comprising: a plurality of elongate cable moduleseach including an elongate cable which defines a plurality ofcommunication links extending longitudinally therethrough and aconnector unit on each opposite end of said cable, each of saidconnector units having contact terminals therein which are connected tosaid plurality of cable links, said connector units as provided onadjacent ends of said cables being interconnected together wherein theconnector terminals on one of said connector units respectively engagesthe individual connector terminals on the other adjacent connector unitsuch that said cable links extend through said communication cablingarrangement, said connector units including an engagement face throughwhich said connector terminals are exposed for engagement with saidconnector terminals of the adjacent connector unit when said adjacentconnector units are interconnected together; each of said interconnectedcable modules defining a group of access ports which are disposedadjacent to each other and are each exteriorly accessible when saidcable modules are interconnected together, each group of said adjacentaccess ports permitting access to all of said cable links wherein atleast one said cable link is accessible through each of said accessports; and a plug module having a plug part which is engagable with aselected one of said access ports, said plug module defining at leastone plug link which is adapted to transmit voice and/or data signalstherethrough and said plug part including a plurality of plug contactswhich are connected to said plug link, said plug part being engagablewith one of said access ports such that said plug link is connected toat least one of said cable links through said one access port.
 20. Anarrangement according to claim 19, wherein each of said connector unitson each said cable module is interconnectable with either of saidconnector units at the opposite ends of another said cable module. 21.An arrangement according to claim 20, wherein said access ports aredefined by an adjacent pair of said interconnected connector units. 22.An arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said access ports provideaccess to said engaged housing terminals and said plug contacts areengagable with said engaged housing terminals.
 23. An arrangementaccording to claim 22, wherein each said access port permits access toless than all of said cable links being transmitted through said cablingarrangement.
 24. A communication cabling arrangement comprising: ahousing unit having first and second cables connected thereto, saidfirst and second cables having a plurality of conductors which define aplurality of communication links extending through each of said firstand second cables, said cable links transmitting voice and/or datasignals therethrough, said housing unit including housing contactterminals which are connected respectively to each of said cable linkswherein first said housing terminals corresponding to said cable linksof said first cable respectively engage second said housing terminalscorresponding to said cable links of said second cable so that saidcable links extend through said housing unit by the engagement of saidfirst and second housing terminals; said housing unit defining thereon aplurality of access ports which permit access to said engaged first andsecond housing terminals to permit connection to said cable linkswherein each said access port permits access to at least one, but lessthan all of said cable links; a plug module having a plug part which isinsertable into a selected one of said access ports between said engagedhousing terminals wherein said first and second housing terminals areseparated from each other and disposed on opposite sides of said plugpart, said plug module including conductors defining at least one pluglink which is adapted to transmit voice and/or data signalstherethrough, said plug part including a plurality of plug contactswhich are connected to said plug link and arranged on one of said sidesso as to be connected to said first housing terminals when said plugpart is inserted into one of said access ports; and an insulative spacerbeing provided on the other of said sides to press said second housingterminals away from said first housing terminals.
 25. An arrangementaccording to claim 24, wherein said insulative spacer is defined by aface of said plug part.
 26. An arrangement according to claim 24,wherein said insulative spacer is removably mounted to said plug part tooverlie said other side.
 27. An arrangement according to claim 26,wherein said plug contacts are provided on both of said sides, saidinsulative spacer being removable from said other side and mountable onsaid one side so that said contacts on either of said sides areconnectable to either said first or said second housing terminals. 28.An arrangement according to claim 24, wherein said insulative spacer isa first projection projecting away from said other side.
 29. Anarrangement according to claim 28, wherein said contacts are provided onboth of said sides and each of said access ports has opposite first andsecond open ends, said plug part further including a second insulativeprojection on said one side, said housing terminals being asymmetricallyshaped wherein said first projection presses said housing terminals awayfrom said other side when said plug part is inserted in said first openend and said second projection presses the housing terminals away fromsaid one side when said plug part is inserted in said second open end.30. An arrangement according to claim 24, wherein said insulative spaceris removably connected to said housing unit.